Tuesday, August 28, 2012

College wide receivers to watch in 2012

Jalil Brown and Keenan Allen - Colorado v California
California's Keenan Allen


After making several additions to the wide receiver position this past offseason, and what with 2011 third-round pick Vincent Brown seeming to have a nice future, one may believe San Diego Chargers general manager A.J. Smith shouldn’t invest a high draft selection on a pass-catcher next April. Yet, with the departure of Vincent Jackson, the Chargers may be on the lookout for that surefire #1 target who could strike fear into opposing defenses. As of right now, nobody could know for sure if free-agent addition Robert Meachem fits that bill, so Smith should definitely keep his eyes on the following prospects this fall:

1.      California's Keenan Allen: One of the most dynamic talents in the nation, this 6-3, 210-pound junior had 98 receptions for 1,343 yards and six touchdowns last season. A repeat or improved performance this year could possibly lead to him becoming a top-five pick next April.

2.      USC's Robert Woods: Arguably the most gifted wide receiver in the nation, this 6-1, 190-pound junior had 111 receptions for 1,292 yards and 15 touchdowns in 2011. He and Keenan Allen will probably compete to be the first wide receiver selected in next April’s draft.

3.      Baylor's Terrance Williams: A 6-2, 206-pound senior, he had 59 receptions for 957 yards and 11 touchdowns last season. Now that Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Robert Griffin is playing with the Washington Redskins in the NFL, Williams needs to show he can handle his own and make big plays without a legend tossing him the ball.

4.      Washington State's Marquess Wilson: A 6-4, 185-pound junior, he was named first-team All-Pac-12 last season after catching 82 passes for 1,388 yards and 12 touchdowns. His numbers should be even better in 2012, now that Mike Leach has taken over as Washington State’s head coach. Given Wilson’s height, he could probably benefit from putting on 15-20 pounds.

5.     Tennessee Tech's Da’Rick Rogers: A talented playmaker who possesses the complete package at 6-3, 208 pounds, this junior caught 67 passes for 1,040 yards and nine touchdowns last year. Formerly a member of the University of Tennessee, he was dismissed from the Vols after failing a couple drug tests.

6.      Miami of Ohio's Nick Harwell: A 6-1, 193-pound junior, he caught 97 passes for 1,425 yards and nine touchdowns in 2011. That outstanding production led to him earning first-team All-MAC honors.

7.      Clemson wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins: Although he’s considered an inferior playmaker in comparison to teammate Sammy Watkins—who won’t be eligible for the 2013 draft—the 6-1, 200-pound Hopkins, a junior, is still quite a talented pass-catcher. In 2011 he caught 72 passes for 978 yards and five touchdowns. That followed up his freshman season in 2010, during which he amassed 51 receptions for 626 yards and four touchdowns.

8.      West Virginia wide receiver Stedman Bailey: About to be a third-year starter, this 5-10, 193-pound junior caught 72 passes for 1,279 yards and 12 touchdowns last season. He’s considered one of the best deep threats in all of college football right now.

9.      Oklahoma wide receiver Kenny Stills: This 6-1, 190-pound junior made 61 catches for 849 yards and eight touchdowns last season. His efforts led to the coaches voting him All-Big 12 second team.

10.  Arkansas wide receiver Cobi Hamilton: This 6-3, 209-pound senior is expected to be Tyler Wilson’s top target this fall. In 2011, Hamilton caught 34 passes for 542 yards and four touchdowns.

11.  TCU wide receiver Josh Boyce: A junior, this 6-0, 203-pound receiver is considered a burner. In 2011 he caught 61 passes for 998 yards and nine touchdowns.

12.  West Virginia wide receiver Tavon Austin: A prototypical slot receiver, this 5-9, 174-pound senior had 101 receptions for 1,186 yards and eight touchdowns last season.

13.  Duke wide receiver Connor Vernon: A 6-1, 200-pound senior, he had 70 receptions for 956 yards and six touchdowns in 2011.

14.  Wyoming wide receiver Chris McNeill: This 6-1, 180-pound senior had 42 catches for 504 yards and four touchdowns in nine games last year. An arm injury cut his season short, but he was still named to the All-Mountain West second team.

15.  Louisiana (Lafayette) wide receiver Javone Lawson: A 6-1, 183-pound senior, he made first-team All-Sun Belt in 2011 after catching 63 passes for 1,092 yards and eight touchdowns.

16.  Troy wide receiver Eric Thomas: This 6-1, 209-pound junior had 67 receptions for 875 yards and nine touchdowns last year. His efforts led to him making the All-Sun Belt second team.

 
Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers may have more options to throw to this season, but there’s no denying he’ll miss having a clear #1 target such as Jackson. If Meachem doesn’t prove to be anywhere close to what Jackson was during his time with the Lightning Bolts, Smith may want to jump at the opportunity to select one of the aforementioned phenomenal college wide receivers next April.

No comments:

Post a Comment